In her position as Joplin Humane Society executive director, Karen Aquino spearheaded the effort that led to the rescue of 2,000 animals during a two-day period after the May 22 tornado.
As of Tuesday, Ms. Aquino was on the unemployment line.
In what was termed a cost-cutting move, the Joplin Humane Society Board fired Ms. Aquino Tuesday,
Those who support Ms. Aquino note that the board's cost-cutting came at a time when the need was greater because of the aftermath of the tornado and when the Humane Society had received hefty contributions, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, from people across the nation, primarily due to Ms. Aquino's fundraising efforts.
Ms. Aquino's fundraising ability had helped the Humane Society even before the tornado. Earlier, she launched the campaign that raised enough money to build a brand new shelter.
The cuts the board wanted apparently did not extend to the maintenance of the Humane Society Facebook page. All comments in favor of Ms. Aquino were quickly removed Tuesday night.
Anytime something likes this happens you have to wonder what friend is waiting in the wings for the job.
ReplyDeleteuShe was really fired for lying about a family emergency in FL when in reality she was there on a job interview! What she didn't know is everyone here knew the truth and the lie about her sister attempting suicide was the coldest, cruelest lie yet!! Karma came back and bit her but the newspaper is making her out to be the good guy and not telling the truth. The board unanimously agreed to FIRE her.
ReplyDeleteLike a lot of people, I first heard of the JHS after the tornado. One of the first sights I remember seeing on tv was injured, confused and lost pets wandering around the debris. I was worried about what would happen to those poor animals. I started reading notes and comments along with photos of these animals posted by the JHS in several venues. Karen and her staff were presented with incredible challenges and stepped-up to care for these victims. When animals were ready to be released from care/observation, and no one claimed them......the amazing adoptathon took these pets into new homes with new families to love them. The videos (on major news outlets) of people waiting in line as far as the eye could see just to take home one of the pets was amazing! Karen brought a lot of EXTREMELY POSITIVE attention, not to mention donations, to the JHS to provide care for the animals. It's hard to believe the board has let someone of Karen's caliber clear out the tornado pet problems then unceremoniously release her. I hope Karen finds a terrific new position within the animal welfare community, because getting through that tornado and the reuniting/re-homing process, she's obviously someone who can take charge get it done. I know there were staff and volunteers at the shelter after the storm, but without a courageous leader to provide direction, the well-oiled machine would never have worked.
ReplyDeleteThanks Randy for posting this very important piece of Joplin news. I should clarify that Karen's position was eliminated in order TO cut costs, not because she could not cut costs herself.
ReplyDeleteThe budget she was given was far below what is suggested for a shelter of that size. Numerous cuts WERE made - in the number of employees, the number of times the kennels were disinfected properly (due to being forced to reduce how much disinfectant was actually purchased), and the amount spent on vaccines was reduced also, meaning that pets were only vaccinated upon adoption and not at intake which is the norm. But this apparently was not enough for the Board.
One of the highlights of actually going to the shelter was the pen of puppies they kept in the foyer. The Board, led by Richard Copeland, told the staff to remove the animals. No more puppies in the foyer!
Hopefully this investigation can continue. It is important not to take this fund-raising fiasco out on the animals - we must continue to care for and love them and donate our time and money to them.
I have corrected the reason for the firing.
ReplyDeleteDidn't they receive a $100,000 grant from the ASPCA among massive donations brought on by Karens tireless work for the shelter? I just don't get this. It reeks of politics and petty jealousy. (please refer to the post to this blog about Karen lying about a family emergency). This sounds remarkably like a post made by a former board member last night on the JHS Facebook page. It was the most disgusting, vindictive thing I've ever read not to mention unprofessional. This person also tried to start negative rumors about Karen in the aftermath of the tornado.
ReplyDeleteIf the current board members are anything like this former one, I can't imagine what Karen had to deal with. She's better off out of there....they don't deserve her.....shame on them!
I live in Brevard County, FL where Karen came to interview for a job last week. I, and others, did background checks on the candidates. Our county paid for the airline tickets for each candidate. Karen Aquino had our ticket for Tues am when she texted the secretary at JHS on Tues am and said she had to go to FL for a family emergency. Just ask around the shelter, I am sure they were all told she had a family emergency. And then do some checking to see where Karen really was. The board was courteous and discreet about this issue and does not deserve the bad mouthing going on.
ReplyDeleteSo? Is that supposed to be a horrible offense? I and plenty of people I know have gone on job interviews to try and better ourselves and speaking for myself, I didn't tell my employer that was what I needed the time off for. I'm sure YOU wouldn't do something so dishonest though, or surely you wouldn't criticize someone else.
ReplyDeleteIf only you were as discreet as you say the board you are championing were.
In defense of the Brevard County poster, taking earned vacation time to go on an interview would be one thing but this was a horrendous lie about a family emergency that she trumped up. Why not ask the board? Maybe ask her how her sister is doing now since her "attempt". Karen not only lied but she risked her sister's reputation in the process, if she even has a sister in Florida. Everyone in Joplin knew about the lie, would you trust someone that has outright lied to you? I think not. The board was courteous and gave her the chance to use "position eliminated" rather than "fired" in her future job searches. Lysa and the rest will continue to do a fine job, as she has done since coming to Joplin. Open your eyes and realize the shelter staff deserves the commendation, not the ED who let them do all the work.
ReplyDeleteShe was leaving anyway and probably without notice.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110908/NEWS01/109080314/Four-remain-running-job-animal-services-director
I think we should all remember there are two sides to every story. However sometimes it's best not to sling comments that might dishonor or demean. Sometimes business decisions have to be made to run an effective business. Also...let's not forget the important part that the ASPCA took during the tornado relief efforts. Truly without THEM things would not be the same!
ReplyDeleteWhile we are on the subject of Karen loosing her job. It is my experience the the place has went way down hill!!!
ReplyDeleteJust to let everyone know if you get a dog or any pet from JHS please take them to the vet immeadiately.
My dog was in there for 10 days and contracted Coccidia and kennel caugh and God knows what else! He was perfectly fne when he when he went in. My little Buddy is now in the hospital not knowing if he is going to make it through the week end. He lost a conciderable amount of weight.He had sniffels when I visited him 4 days in and I was told he was fine and eating good. Had a cough when I picked him up.I was told by the JHS superviser that it is "almost impossible to not get kennel caugh when in their kennels". In addition I was told it is not uncommon for animals to loose weight. Well my little 12 pound dog is now 9 lbs and dieing.We love Buddy very much. he is a part of our family. This is just heart breaking.:(